21 HABITS OF HAPPY PEOPLE

Happiness
is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed.

We’ve
all seen people who are always happy – even amidst agonizing life trials. I’m
not saying happy people don’t feel grief, sorrow or sadness; they just don’t
let it overtake their life. The following are 21 things happy people make a
habit of doing:

1.
Appreciate Life

Be
thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of
wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most
of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

2.
Choose Friends Wisely

Surround
yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends
that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams.
They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping
hand when needed.

3. Be
Considerate

Accept
others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who
they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able,
without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone
you come into contact with.

4.
Learn Continuously

Keep
up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and
daring things that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing
or sky-diving.

5.
Creative Problem Solving

Don’t
wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a
solution. Don’t let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new
obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust
your gut instincts – it’s almost always right.

6. Do
What They Love

Some
statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there’s so
many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working.
Choose a career that you enjoy – the extra money of a job you detest isn’t
worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests.

7.
Enjoy Life

Take
the time to see the beauty around you. There’s more to life than work. Take
time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a
walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present
moment and cherish it. Don’t live in the past or the future.

8.
Laugh

Don’t
take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any
situation. Laugh at yourself – no one’s perfect. When appropriate laugh and
make light of the circumstances. (Naturally there are times that you should be
serious as it would be improper to laugh.)

9.
Forgive

Holding
a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind.
When you make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself.

10.
Gratitude

Develop
an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things
that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly
your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are
in your life.

11.
Invest in Relationships

Always
make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture
and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to
spend with them. Don’t break your promises to them. Be supportive.

12.
Keep Their Word

Honesty
is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on
honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones.

13.
Meditate

Meditation gives your very active brain a rest.
When it’s rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level.
Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations,
visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and
make the time to practice daily.

14.
Mind Their Own Business

Concentrate
on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family.
Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t
get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don’t judge. Everyone has a right to
live their own life the way they want to – including you.

15. Optimism

See the glass as half full.
Find the positive side of any given situation. It’s there – even though it may
be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may
never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative
thought creeps in – replace it with a positive thought.

16. Love
Unconditionally

Accept others for who they
are. You don’t put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always
like the actions of your loved ones – you continue to love them.

17. Persistence

Never give up. Face each new
challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your
goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you
want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are
always happiest while pursuing something of value to us.

18. Be Proactive

Accept what can not be
changed. Happy people don’t waste energy on circumstances beyond their control.
Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by
creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond.

19. Self Care

Take care of your mind, body
and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty
of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it
with interesting and exciting challenges.

20. Self Confidence

Don’t try to be someone that
you’re not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside
– your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best
you can and don’t second guess yourself.

21.
Take Responsibility

Happy
people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They
take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and
words. They are the first to admit when they’ve made a mistake.

Begin
today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these
habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily
lifestyle – the happier you will be.